jlueke Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 I'm 40 and until yesterday I had never heard of the Canadian war nickels. I've been familiar with the US cents and nickels for over twentyfive years but entirely ignorant of the Canadian changes. Yesterday I was helping my son define the scope of his Central States exhibit and that's where this "discovery" was made. It's just funny to me how well one can maintain ignorance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art1.2 Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 I knew about them because I collected Canadian coins when I was a kid. They are quite interesting. I think there were a few entered in the PCI competitions. I'll look back when I get a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikaros Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 When I lived closer to Canada, I'd see them in change periodically; more often than I'd see our own war nickels, actually -- but then, Canadian war nickels didn't have silver in them. Funny thing is, I found one in change in the last couple weeks. I twigged on to the idea that the person on the coin was the King... what took me a while to figure out was why were they using 'our' money (dollars, cents) rather than come up with their own kind? ...boy, come to think of it, it would've been a lot cooler to see half crowns, shillings, pence and all occasionally show up in change! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoRnholio Posted March 5, 2013 Report Share Posted March 5, 2013 I got a British 10 new pence coin in my change the other day as a quarter I didn't notice until I got home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccg Posted March 5, 2013 Report Share Posted March 5, 2013 At least it's a current 10p and not one of the old 5p! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlueke Posted April 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 Anyone have an idea why they went from Tombac to Steel? Excess iron? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art1.2 Posted April 19, 2013 Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 Anyone have an idea why they went from Tombac to Steel? Excess iron? According to Charlton's, "war demands for copper and zinc forced a suspension in the use of tombac for the 5-cent piece and the institution of plated steel". Charlton's also points out that there was in fact a mintage of 1944 tombacs but they were never issued and melted, except for 1 coin which was sold in 1999 for $38,500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlueke Posted April 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 That's a deal compared to the 1943 bronze cents on the US side. I found one contemporary account from Canada, they give the reason as it being harder and more time consuming to make the brass alloy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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